Biologists are calling for urgent nationwide action to prevent venomous fire ants from infesting Japan after the highly invasive species was spotted at several major ports, including Tokyo.
"Japan needs to fight the insects as a national campaign," said Takahiro Murakami, an associate professor of behavioral biology at Kyushu University. "The government must implement an effective eradication program with the cooperation of the international community.
"If left uncontrolled, the country will go through what the United States and some other countries have experienced."